Michael Yon: The War in Afghanistan Is Winnable

National Review Online ^ | October 19, 2009 | Michael Yon

[smokingfrog]

Looks like an interesting read.
bookmark for later

[Ramius]

...that Afghans don’t like to see Americans living in tents. Tents are for nomads. It would be foolish for Afghans in “Talibanastan” to cooperate with nomadic Americans only to be eviscerated by the Taliban when the nomads pack up.

That's an interesting observation. A point to ponder.

[Squantos]

Wow !

[zot]

This is an excellent article, as usual. Thanks for posting it.

[Cicero]

Very interesting take on a difficult problem.

Once again, “demographics are destiny.”

[NC28203]

Soundf like we will be there a long time and it’s going to cost some money.

“Adopting this child-nation means more than building up Afghan security forces. Afghanistan cannot finance its police and army, much less the education system and vast infrastructure needed to fashion and fuel a self-sustaining economy. Its uncontrolled population growth stems from ignorance. Only through the spread of education and opportunity can narcotics production, criminality, warlordism, and fanaticism be eroded.”

[LS]

Listen to this guy. Michael Yon was nearly 100% correct in his analysis of Iraq. He correctly pinpointed the turning point during the Anbar Awakening. He is the closest thing America has to a REAL JOURNALIST and his assessments of Afghanistan ring true-—little things like the impressions Afghans have of U.S. troops living in tents. Cultural things like that are easy to miss.

[Cicero]

Just so. Darned near the only war reporter extant with an open mind and his feet on the ground. Maybe the Ernie Pyle of our time.

[Jeff Chandler]

Darned near the only war reporter extant with an open mind and his feet on the ground.

Darned near the only reporter there who is on our side.

[ladyvet]

We can succeed in Afghanistan where others failed.

Not if the boy-king has his way.

[ladyvet]

We can succeed in Afghanistan where others failed.

Not if the boy-king has his way.

[Ben Ficklin]

In the second paragraph he says "commitment must be inter-generational". Two generations is 40 years.

Towards the bottom of the article he says "for many decades to come". Many decades, in my mind, is at least 40 years.

While he talks about the potential failings of a counter terrorism mission in Afghan, he says nothing of the alternative potential failings counterinsurgency mission in Afghan.

[gaijin]

If it’s Michael Yon...it’s compelling and I’m sorely tempted to trust him.

Usually I just dismiss “multi-cultural” crap, but I must admit I liked the “tent” insight.

[Eyes Unclouded]

We need to maintain a presence there it is simply too strategic to give up. I'm not so sure about this nation building stuff.

Why don't we just buy off some warlords and have them do our bidding?

Keeping America safe is easier than keeping America safe while introducing western civilization to these peoples (Women as equal humans, secular schools, clean running water, etc etc).

Everyone likes to shout "Remember 9/11 EyesUnclouded!". I don't remember anyone coming out and saying we need to get the terrorists and at the same time spend resources and manpower building schools and wells.

[ex-snook]

Then who are the Taliban? Afghans, Pakistans or ? Same question for Al Queda. What nationality are our enemies?

[PapaBear3625]

A long-term solution that does not involve getting the Afghans disenchanted with the entire idea of Islam, is not a solution.

[Lurker]

bfl

[PjhCPA]

Michael Yon is the man!

[SE Mom]

Yon is always great reading.

There remains a problem- Obama will not heed his observations nor suggestions.